The jubilee tenth year of the Gothic Route: Forgotten Heritage event was marked by balancing. Public was presented with the results of many years of activity of experts, conservationists, researchers, restorers, but also owners and, of course, our association in the restoration of sacral monuments of Gemer.
Our volunteers, together with experts involved in the restoration of a particular buildings opened the gates of six churches and presented the work that has been done. In Ochtiná, archaeological and monument research was carried out, in Štítnik we talked about the restoration of the roof with a rare medieval truss. Similarly, in Rakovnica, where the roof was restored and the bell tower (sanctuary) was reconstructed in its original historical position. In the Jelšava Circuit, visitors could see the restored interior with frescoes in the Šivetice rotunda, the results of restoration and research of paintings on the façade of the Kameniany church and, last but not least, the saved Baroque furniture, which returned to the church in Rákoš last year.
The theme of churches was complemented by a lunch break in the environment of the spectacular Jelšava chateau, which is also the subject of a gradual and very sensitive restoration. As every year, this year also combined the beauty of monuments with contemporary culture – the Budapest painter Beáta Margit Méry played out a dialogue with the Šivetice rotunda with her works of art, and we enjoyed the ceremonial end of the program in the parish garden of the church in Ochtiná to the sound of the uplifting music of the Vigilio Trio concert by Dušan Havrilla, Martina Kertészová and Radoslav Lakoštík.
We would like to thank all volunteers, of which there was a record number this year, experts in monument practice, church congregations, parishes and municipalities involved in the event. We would especially like to thank the city of Jelšava for the great organization of part of the program and the provision of facilities for lunch in the Coburg chateau and the village of Ochtiná for ensuring comfort for visitors during the evening concert. It would not be the same without our regular service suppliers Baretka Rožňava, Barónka Bistrot Bed&Breakfast Betliar, KC Kláštor Rožňava and OnGround Čoltovo. Special thanks go to the GemArt association for providing accommodation for volunteers.
This year’s event was financially supported by the Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Slovak Republic. The whole event would not have been possible without our general partner, the VÚB Bank Foundation. Thank you!
